Becky Sharp
A poor orphan of low birth, Becky Sharp is a born hustler and almost sociopathic striver who manages to raise herself to the upper limits of high society and wealth, only to see her achievements crumble under the weight of her bad deeds. Evil temptress or misunderstood woman ahead of her time?
Amelia Sedley
A soft, passive young woman, Amelia Sedley is born into wealth, comfort, and the protective arms of practically anyone who comes into contact with her. Married to an undeserving man who dies in combat, she remains loyal to his memory and unable to give herself to another, instead choosing to lavish all of her affection on her son.
George Osborne
Born to a wealthy, snobby, social-climbing banker, George Osborne lives in the lap of luxury. Because of his good looks and manners, he fancies himself the perfect gentleman. His hasty marriage to Amelia proves that he is actually a disloyal cad. He dies on the battlefield a few months after becoming a husband.
Rawdon Crawley
A large, imposing army dragoon, Rawdon Crawley sows enough wild oats for about ten men, but then he falls in love with and marries Becky Sharp. Marriage, and especially fatherhood, reforms this dim-witted but ultimately kind man. Unfortunately, he is betrayed by his wife and dies stationed at a horrible island post trying to provide financially for his son.
William Dobbin
Ungainly, unattractive, and lisping, Dobbin is surprisingly the novel's only real gentleman. His heroic deeds as a soldier earn him steady promotion through the ranks, while his long and unrequited love for Amelia make us collectively pity his pathetic life. Eventually she does agree to marry him, though by that point it hardly seems worth it anymore.
Jos Sedley
Amelia's older brother is a very vain, very fat, very self-important officer in the East India Company. Although he is at first able to escape being married to Becky, eventually she re-ensnares him and – perhaps – kills him off for his life insurance money.